noctalgia

Literally means "sky grief". Noctalgia is a new astronomers' term for the feeling of loss of dark nighttime skies around the world due to light pollution from various sources. Those sources are artificial lighting created by humans such as outdoor illumination of streets, buildings, and other places, many of which are not required all night. Also satellites reflecting sunlight onto the night side of Earth from solar panels and antenna arrays. Most city dwellers can no longer see any but the very brightest stars. The glory of the Milky Way in a dark sky is something most people will never have the opportunity to see. Truly, we must grieve for that which we have lost in the night sky.

I can no longer see stars and constellations I could easily see as I child, their loss gives me a feeling of noctalgia, I am greatly saddened.

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